The research theme of our lab is mainly focused in the development of a physiological model of the embodied mind, by means of studying the interaction between brain dynamics and cardiac, respiratory and intestinal function. To encompass this complexity, we simultaneously develop a mathematical framework based on graph theory and artificial intelligence, allowing the study from a multi modal perspective.

Research topics: Progression in Alzheimer disease, mechanisms of attention and memory in meditation, regulation and somatization of stress.

Heart-Brain interaction in dementia

We evaluate the influence of cardiac dynamics on magnetic brain activity, under the hypothesis that it is needed to the generation of brain rhythms. We study the interruption of heart-brain axis in dementia given by the reduction of the heart evoked neuronal response and its role as biomarker in the progression to Alzheimer disease.

Influence of active life and diet on the microbiote and its cognitive implications

We evaluate the influence of lifestyle on the microbiote diversity and bacterial gut network reorganization in active and sedentary subjects. We will study the role of microbiote alteration in progression to Alzheimer disease.

Cognitive and psichological reorganization after a mindfulness based intervention

We evaluate the changes evoked by a 8 weeks course of mindfulness based stress reduction program (MBSR) and cultive compassion training (CCT) by studying the reorganization of the clinical, psychological and wellbeing network. In addition, we measure the frontal brain activity as well as the cardiac dynamics to be correlated during an attentional blinking task.

Pain mechanisms regulation after a mindfulness based intervention in back patients

We study the role of attention and breath in stress regulation in back patients by measuring the reorganization of clinical, psychological and wellbeing network considering the blood cortisol as a reference.

Development and implementation of mathematical methods

We consider that simultaneously to a scientific revolution there has been a mathematical evolution. We, therefore, develop a multimodal perspective of biomedical data analysis based in big data (multiple regression), graph theory, machine learning (support vector machine and neuronal networks), regression chaotic dynamics, individual and multivariable statistics, and prediction and classification models.

Involved institutions: Instituto Nirakara

Selfcare program based on mindfulness for brain tumor and cancer patients

VIVE AHORA (LIFE NOW) project is based on the idea that the mindfulness practice and selfcare can help to get better the quality of life in brain tumor and cancer patients, helping them to manage the anxiety and sadness. Our aim is to propose the integration of these practices in the clinical protocols, rigorously evaluating our mindfulness based program Involved institutions: Instituto Nirakara, Hospital universitario Clínico San Carlos de Madrid, Asociación de Afectados por Tumores Cerebrales en España ASATE, Asociación española contra el cáncer.

PUBLICATIONS

Cortical Excitability and Interhemispheric Connectivity in Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Studied With TMS-EEG.

Yoga en el Tratamiento de Adicciones. La experiencia de dos años de práctica de yoga con pacientes del Centro de Rehabilitación Takiwasi. [Yoga in Addiction Treatment. The experience of two years of yoga practice with in-patients of Takiwasi Rehabilitation Center].